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Regarding the manual level crossings, I live next to the Heart of Wales line. Our town level crossing has the standard four electrically-operated lowering barriers, but they're activated by the train crew. The driver stops the train next to a control box about 30 metres or so from the crossing, the guard climbs down and presses the button. The lights then flash for a short time before the barriers lower - the idea being that people can get clear of the crossing or stop before the barriers lower. The guard then rejoins the train which runs through, after it has passed the lights go out and the barriers raise. It's been like this ever since the original manned signalbox was abandoned (that's now on the station platform as a museum), originally there would have been the type of gates that David describes, operated by means of a large wheel in the corner of the box (looks not unlike an old sailing ship's wheel) and a selection of rods and pivots under the trackbed/roadway. I've only once seen a car get stuck on the crossing (clueless drivers are a worldwide problem!) but as the train was stationary it wasn't dangerous - the guard ended up helping them reverse it clear of the tracks!
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